Method fob cleaning oil-pipe lines



Nov. I9, 1929. c. R. HALL METHOD FOR CLEANING OIL PIPE LINES Filed Sept.23, 1926 INVENTOR. 5. 78, wel@ A TTORNEYY Patented Nov. 19, 1929 PATENTCLAUD B. HALL, F TULSA, OKLAHOMA METHOD FOR CLEANING OIL-PIPE LINESApplication led September 23, 1926. Serial No. 137,371.

The invention relates to a novel and cilicient method of cleaningtubing, lead lines and transport pipe lines for oil and the like ofaccumulations of congealed oil, paraiiin, bitumen, or similar materialstending to collect in and clog up the pipe lines, the method involvingthe admixing of certain ingredients, preferably caustic soda andcomminuted aluminum, in a suitable container, thereby developing heatand pressure in the products of the reaction, and admitting ,the heatedproducts to the pipe line, so that the applied heat will melt thecongealed oil, paraiiin, bitumen, or other obstructing material, andcause the same to be carried along with the oil stream, or, if desired,to be drained out of the pipe line, the apparatus for carrying out themethod involving connecting receptacles for receiving the respectiveingredients, with a 2i gate valve to keep the ingredients separate untilthe time for mixing the same arrives, and a valved connection betweenthe receptacles and the pipe line to be cleaned to admit the heated andpressure producing products of i5 the reaction to the pipe line.

A simple form of apparatus for carrying out the method aforesaid isillustrated in the accompanying drawing, which is a sectional elevationof said apparatus applied to a pipe line. i

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates a section of a typical transportpipe line for oil, which is provided, at suitable intervals, withnipples 2, .which are normally closed by a plug or gate valve. Intransporting oil, either from wells to storage tanks or reservoirs atthe wells or between stations, difficulty is frequently encountered inkeeping the pipe lines free from deposits of congealed oil, parafiin,bitumen, or other solid or semi-solid constituentsof the oil, whichobstruct the flow of oil and, in some instances, clog up the pipe lines.Various expediente have been proposed fdr preventing the accumulation ofthese materials in the pipe lines, which expedients have beenindii'erently effective or have been exceptionally diicult and expensiveto maintain. rThe present invention provides an exceedingly simple formof apparatus for effectively applying an equally simple also beingprovided with a valved connection by means of which the products of thereaction are forced into the pipe line by the developed gaseouspressure.

In the exemplary apparatus disclosed in the drawing, 3 is a valve casingprovided with a gate valve 4, which casing is adapted to be screwed intothe nipple 2 of the pipe line, which is located in the vicinity of theaccumulated paraffin, bitumen, or the like. The valve casing 4 isconnected by a nipple 5 to a lower receptacle 6 having a lateral offsetor elbow 7 the end of which is closed b v a screw plug 8, or othersuitable closure. The top of the receptacle 6 is connected to a secondvalve casing 9 containing'a slide valve 10 and the upper end of thevalve casing 9 is connected to the outlet of an upper container 11, thetop of which is providedwith an elbow, or T-coupling, 12, one end ofwhich is closed by a screw plug 13 and the other opening receiving aplug 15 to which is attached a pressure gauge 14,

ln carrying out the invention, the apparatus is connected to the pipeline l, as shown, with the valves 4 and 10 closed. The lower receptacle6 is then supplied with a charge of comminuted aluminum, preferably inthe form of shavings, through the nipple 7 and the plug 8 screwed inplace. The upper receptacle is similarly lled with a charge of causticsoda and Water through the top opening in the T-connection l2 and theplug 13 screwed in place. i The relative proportions of the charges ofcomminuted aluminum and caustic soda will vary according to theconditions to be met. After the charges have been supplied to therespective receptacles, the valve l0 is opened to permit the causticsoda in the upper receptacle to mix with the comminuted aluminum in thelower receptacle, which sets up an'exothermic action developing arelatively high de ree of heat and a 'gh gaseous pressure. A ter thereaction has proceeded for a suiicient time, which will be indicated bythe pressure developed and indicated by the gauge 14, the valve 4 willbe opened to permit the gaseous pressure to force the products ofreaction into the pipe line and the high degree of heat developed insaid products will be effective in meltin the paran, bitumen, or thelike, to a su cient degree to permit the same to be taken up by the oil:dowing in the pipe line, or, if desired, to

be discharged by a suitable outlet in the pipe linej it the latter isnot transporting oil at the time the cleaning operation is carried out.

As indicated, the pipe line Will be provided at suitable intervals withnipples 2 by means g@ of which the apparatus can beconnected thereto inthe vicinity of the accumulated obstructions, so that the apparatus maybe transported readily from place to place Wherever the obstructingaccumulations occur, and the g5 latter may he removed at a minimum oflabor,

time and expense. t

lll/'hat claim is: .m l. The method of cleaning oil Well tubing, leadlines and transport pipe lines of accumu- 3@ lated paran, bitumen andthe like, which comprises admixing caustic soda and aluminum in a closedreceptacle, and forcing the resultant heated products into the pipe lineby the pressure developed. f

35 2. The method of cleaning oil well tubing,

lead lines and transport pipe lines of accumulated paraffin, bitumen andthe like, which v comprises preliminarily admixing the ingredients thereaction of Which produces heat and pressure in a closed receptacle, andforcing the heated product-s into the pipe line by the induced pressure.

ln testimony whereof l ax my signature.

` CLAUD R. HALL.

